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Chairs For Sale
A SITZMASCHINE Chair by JOSEF HOFFMANN & FISCHEL WIENER WERKSTATTE Austria 1910
Located in PARIS, FR
This is a museum piece : an historical and iconic "SITZMASCHINE" chair by (or after) JOSEF HOFFMANN, produced by FISCHEL, Vienna, 1910. This is a a rare and almost never seen variati...
Category

1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Chairs

Materials

Wood

Savonarola Chair, Year 1900
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Savonarola chair, Made in Italy, Year 1900.  The frame is made of solid wood. The seat and back are ORIGINAL leather, attached with large upholstery nails. There is fringed trimmings...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Patricia Urquiola Trampoline Chair For Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Patricia Urquiola Trampoline Chair For Cassina A chair with a playful spirit, rounded contours, and a hint of Mediterranean vitality. Tr...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Patricia Urquiola Trampoline Chair For Cassina
Patricia Urquiola Trampoline Chair For Cassina
$2,650 Sale Price / item
25% Off
"Liba" Rattan Covered Natural Cane Armchair Designed by Borek Sipek for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Liba", designed by Borek Sipek and manufactured by Driade, is a rattan covered natural red and black cane seat and back with solid ebonized wooden front ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Cane, Rattan, Wood

Vienna Chair, Contemporary Design Inspired by Straw Traditional Chairs
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Vienna is an extraordinarily comfortable and elegant chair designed by Emmanuel Gallina who loves to quote Brancusi when saying that “simplicity is complexity resolved”. Inspired to the 1950s of Marcel Gascoin, but also to Vienna at the end of the 19th century. A tribute to Alfred Sloan’s American pragmatism joined to European styling and, in this particular case, to the renowned Italian talent constantly aiming to harmonize beauty and functionality. In solid beech and straw, it is a perfect combination between digital machines and handcraft. The structure is in solid beech. The back is in hand-braided Vienna straw fixed in a milling. The padded seat is upholstered and lined in different fabric categories: cotton, felt, linen, eco-leather, wool, velvet or can be coated with C.O.M. fabric. Finishing is in natural beech or beech painted walnut Canaletto. In the collection you can also find a Vienna little armchair with armrest, Vienna soft chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Straw, Beech

Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter Designed by the forward-thinking Italian designer Joe Colombo, Chair 300 is a beautiful example of his functional design sensibility. Upholstered...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter
Joe Colombo Chair 300 for Karakter
$2,945 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Rare Borge Mogensen 2231 Chairs, Denmark, 1960s
Located in LEWES, GB
Extremely Rare Borge Mogensen Model 2231 Chairs, Denmark, 1960s. Original leather and oak. Original condition. Incredible tone and patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Red "Pluff" Italian Folding Stool Chair by G. Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1960
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning red "Pluff" folding stool chair in chrome with red colored polyurethane seat. The super rare and iconic "Pluff" was designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli and p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Chrome

Pair of 19th Century English Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century mahogany hall chairs from England. The backs are in the shape of shields, which are pierced and have a central lozenge in the back with carved decoration. The ...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Theater Seats
Located in Oakville, CT
Antique Cast Iron & Wood Theater Seats Overall Dimensions: 42 1/2" x 20" x 32 1/4" high Seat Height: 17 1/2" Materials: Plywood & Cast Iron
Category

Early 20th Century American Chairs

Materials

Iron

Set of 2 Model 3107 Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1997
Located in Hamburg, DE
2 Fritz Hansen 3107 stacking chairs in a special color. The design classic according to a design by Arne Jacobsen from the 1950s. Here in the execution in a strong red tone (galarot...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

19th Century Fine Set of Six Biedermeier Walnut Chair. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, These fine set of six Viennese Biedermeier walnut chairs from circa 1825 is the best example of an early Viennese Biedermeier which reflect innovative design and highest quali...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Midcentury Modern Ward Bennett Model 1515 Chair
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this rare, all-original model 1515 armchair by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. This beautifully constructed chair is of exceptionally high quality and ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Beech, Lacquer

19thc Ranch Style Pressed Back Chairs, Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc original old surface pressed back chairs in fine sturdy condition. The set of a great cowboy or Ralph Lauren Double RL look !!! Fantastic condition and...
Category

1890s American Adirondack Antique Chairs

Materials

Wood

Victorian Wicker Rocking Chair
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of a late Victorian wicker rocking chair that that is detailed in scrolling wicker and a diamond pattern, in addition to a...
Category

1890s American Late Victorian Antique Chairs

Materials

Wicker, Wood

Victorian Wicker Rocking Chair
Victorian Wicker Rocking Chair
$988 Sale Price
49% Off
Set of six Marcel Breuer B34 style chairs chrome steel from 80s
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Set of six chairs from the 80s in the style of the work of Marcel Breuer and his B34 chair model. Structure of the chairs in chromed tubular steel, seats and backs in original black ...
Category

1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Steel

Italian Baroque Iron and Brass Faldistorio
Located in Greenwich, CT
Italian Baroque period folding bench (faldistorio), the "X" frame with scroll etched iron supports with notched corners, joined by rosettes, topped by superstructure with suppressed ...
Category

17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Chairs

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

Thonet Bentwood Cane Bistro or Side Chair, 1920's
Located in Doylestown, PA
Thonet bentwood cane cafe or side chair, 1920's This iconic design chair has a sturdy yet lightweight beechwood frame. An original classic great for a varie...
Category

1920s European Bauhaus Vintage Chairs

Materials

Cane, Beech

Antique Morris Chair from the early 1900s by "Lakeside shop" Stickley era-W8061
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Morris Chair from the early 1900s by "Lakeside," the paper label is missing but you can see a shadow of a paper label. The cha...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cotton, Upholstery, Oak

Hans J. Wegner Cushion for Wishbone Chair CH24
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner cushions for wishbone chair model CH24. Made in black leather and good quality foam. Only the cushion, not the chair.
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Rare Pierre Jeanneret Lounge Chair from Chandigarh Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-62-A Lounge Chair – Authentic Mid-Century Modern A true collector’s piece, this rare Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-62-A Lounge Chair hails from Chandigarh and exempl...
Category

1960s Indian Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Teak

Rope Chair in Pine, Attributed to Poul Kjaerholm & Jørgen Høj, Denmark, 1960's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rope chair in pine - attributed to Poul Kjaerholm & Jørgen Høj, Denmark 1960's Made of stained pine wood and rope pine this curious piece is often attributed to Poul Kjærholm & J...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Rope, Pine

Pair of Black Pascal Mourgue for Artelano Rio Side or Dining Chairs France 1990s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of stackable chairs designed by Pascal Mourgue and manufactured by Artelano in Paris in the early 1990s. Simple and understated yet curvy and sexy, the Rio chairs...
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Two Pairs of Italian Brass 'Skyscraper' Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Four skyscraper style brass chairs with new hair-on-hide upholstery. Circa 1970's, with an Art Deco, Hollywood Regency feel.
Category

20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Light Gray Boucle, Dark Walnut Wood, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in beautiful boucle italian fabric (color number 06). This chair can be c...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Pair of Orange Spaghetti Chairs by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980's
Located in Lisboa, PT
This pair of Spaghetti chairs was designed by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, in Italy, during the 1980's. They have chromed steel frames and orange straps. All PVC straps are still ...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Metal, Steel, Chrome

Collectible Armchair Design Umberto Mascagni, 1960s
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid original collector's chair from the 1960s, designed by umberto mascagni and made, as per tradition, with a wood and metal structure and sand beige skay upholstery, with an e...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Chairs

Materials

Metal

Midcentury French Poplar Chalet Chair Brutalist Organic Style, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Side poplar chair, made of poplar in the 20th midcentury. Brutalist style with organic shapes. Mountain chalet style perfect for a log cabin. The...
Category

1960s Spanish French Provincial Vintage Chairs

Materials

Poplar

19Thc Folky Bentwood Side Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 19Thc Folky twig rustic bentwood chair in fine condition.This chair is very sturdy.This chair was found in Pennsylvania
Category

1890s American Adirondack Antique Chairs

Materials

Hickory

19Thc Folky Bentwood Side Chair
19Thc Folky Bentwood Side Chair
$772 Sale Price
20% Off
'Le Bambole' Lounge Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Le Bambole chaise lounge chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Made in Italy and presented here with its original 1970s wool felt upholstery in Camel in fantastic condition...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Foam

Collector Modern Cassette Chair in Oak and Bouclé Burnt Orange by Alter Ego
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
W 70 cm 27,5” D 61 cm 24” H 90 cm 35,4” SH 72 cm 28,3” or H 100 cm 39,3” SH 82 cm 32,2” A chair that mixes both modern and classical design approaches. Designed to hug the bo...
Category

2010s Portuguese Chairs

Materials

Oak, Fabric

Eames Time Life Chair in Grey Leather for Herman Miller, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Eames Time Life chair for Herman Miller in light grey leather with a polished aluminum frame and legs made in Los Angeles, CA. Originally designed in 1960 by Charles and Ray Eames for use in the lobby of the Time Life building in New York. Recently re-upholstered in gray leather, in-keeping with the color and integrity of other Time-life models. Some slight blemishes to the aluminum frame in-keeping with age. Chair's height and recline is fully adjustable and also swivels 360 degrees. Timeless chair. In 1972, the Time-life chair made the news when notoriously fussy chess genius Bobby Fischer included this chair among his many demands for his legendary 1972 world championship match with Russian master...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Chubby Chair in Dijon 3d Printed Recycled Plastic
Located in London, GB
Dirk van der Kooij first fell in love with low resolution 3D printing as a student, fulfilling his search for honest and functional ornamentation. T...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Ten Trinidad Armchairs by Nanna Ditzel
Located in Dronten, NL
Very rare teak Trinidad dining chairs with arms by Nanna Ditzel for Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark, circa 1995. The seat cushions in red fabric are in good condition and are easily ...
Category

1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Custom Set of Eight English Oak Wavy Ladder Back Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in Woodbury, CT
This is a set of eight (two arms, six sides) English wavy ladder back chairs just waiting for duty in a country kitchen. Sturdy oak constructio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Chairs

Materials

Oak, Rush

Set of Niels Koefoed Dining Chairs, Model "Lis", 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of Niels Koefoed dining chairs made in solid smoked oak. New upholstered in tan aniline leather. Model Lis, made by Niels Koefoeds Møbelfabrik Horn...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Modern Dining Chair Gropius CS1 Fluffy Edition in Misia Azur Faux Fur by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and conciseness, the combination of craft...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Fur, Faux Fur, Ash

Magis Proust LowChair in White by Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“I think many people will already know my “Proust armchair”. It is a romantic, baroque chair, on which an endless number of multi-coloured dots are hand-paint- ed using the pointillism technique. These dots cover the whole armchair, both the fabric and the wooden decorations. It’ s a re-design work. It is, in fact, a combination of a mock-antique armchair with a detail from a painting of a garden by French artist Signac. From 1978 onwards, the “Proust armchair” was produced in many versions, using different colours, ma- terials and dimensions, and was even made of ceramics and bronze. It travelled all around the world and was hosted in many museums. But now some truly revolutionary news, as a paradox comes true: the “Proust armchair” has now been transformed into an industrial rotational-moulded piece. Ladies and gentlemen, we bring you “ Magis Proust...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs

Materials

Polystyrene

Set of Six Mahogany Chairs Mod.110 by Ico Parisi for Cassina - Italy - 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful set of six chairs in elegant mahogany and comfortable hazelnut-colored velvet born from the pencil of Ico Parisi and made since the 1960s, by the prestigious Cassina compan...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Martin Visser Executive Armchair w/ Black Frame, Wood Arms and White Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin Visser lounge chair with recently upholstered white cushions, enameled metal frame and wood arms. The Frame is in original condition with visible wear, consistent with its age...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Midcentury Set of 6 Italian Wooden Armchairs, 1960's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning set of 6 beautiful Italian chairs. This lovely set of dining chairs has a strong resemblance to the Augusto Savini's 'Pamplona' chair (1965) and the Afra & Tobia Scrapa's '...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Wood

Italian Ardea Lounge Chair After A Design By Carlo Mollino
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Ardea lounge chair after a design by Carlo Mollino. Stunning curvaceous Italian lounge chair with exaggerated ebonized legs professionally upholstered in plush blue bouclé....
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Mid-Century Gerard van den Berg White Rattan and Leather Swivel Lounge Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed, Mid-Century swivel lounge chair for highly acclaimed Dutch furniture manufacturer Montis. Van den Berg stands as one of Holland's most innovative and pr...
Category

1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Chrome

"Oscar" Minimalist Chair in Solid Wood with Leather or Fabric
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
When she created Oscar chair, Alessandra Delgado was inspired by the master architect Oscar Niemeyer´s work. The Oscar chair is made of solid wood and although very sturdy it is ligh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather, Canvas, Velvet, Polyester

Large Group of Cafe Chairs from Old Time Saratoga NY Adelphi Hotel
Located in New York, NY
46 ice cream style cafe chairs, originally from the landmark Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga NY. Hand-wrought iron frame with upholstered pad seat, seats show some wear, normal and consist...
Category

Early 20th Century American Romantic Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Rare Scandinavian Modern Sofa by Wilhelm Schauman Oy, 1940s/1950s
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Rare Scandinavian Modern sofa by Wilhelm Schauman Oy from the 1940s/1950s. Elm frame, re-upholstered with high quality Lauritzon's Lamm Ecru -fabric. ...
Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Elm

Pair of 1950s Federico Munari Velvet Armchairs
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Original 1950s Italian armchairs by the great furniture designer, Federico Munari. These chairs have been fully restored here in Italy and reupholstered in a pale Tiffany green/blue ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Chairs

Materials

Brass

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy, relaunched in 1973/2011. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, this chair provided an early example of a...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

OCA, Minimalist Hanging Swing Chair by Tiago Curioni in Aluminium
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Based on absolute simplicity and extreme rationalization of lines and shapes, we thought of a shape that could be replicated identically and that, in itself, should make up the whole piece. Thus, the 3 oblong links of the same size emerged, which are light, resistant, and easy to install, making outdoor or indoor life more fun. The possibility of not only sitting down but also lying down was the motto for naming the piece as OCA, referring to the most traditional Amazon Indians...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South American Minimalist Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 2 Gastone Rinaldi for Fasem Italy dining chairs, 1980’s
Located in Delft, NL
Designer: Gastone Rinaldi Manufacturer: Fasem Origin: Italy Period: 1980’s Color: Black , Silver Material: Chrome, Fabric
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Metal

Fully renovated beech wood chairs by Antonín Šuman, Czechoslovakia, set of 4
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This bentwood dining chairs designed by Antonin Suman. The chairs are made of bent beech and plywood. Made in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1960´s. The chairs are in excellent con...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech, Bentwood, Plywood

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Armchairs in Custom Tan Tweed
Located in Culver City, CA
One of Knoll's most popular designs for the past 70 years, Eero Saarinen's executive armchair is about as timeless and chic as it gets. This current set of 10 we have available are u...
Category

Early 2000s Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Lina Bo Bardi; Marcelo Ferraz; Marcelo Suzuki. Frei Egidio Chair. Edition 2022
Located in PARIS, FR
The Frei Egídio chair was developed by Lina Bo Bardi, Marcelo Ferraz and Marcelo Suzuki, to equip Mattos' Gregório theater in Salvador. It had to be light and easily transportable an...
Category

2010s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Hardwood, Pine

Pair of Antique French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Armchairs C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of French Louis XVI style arm chairs offer giltwood construction with upholstered seats and backs, covered scroll for...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Thonet Style Red Dining Chair, 1980s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Thonet Style Red Dining Chair made by Dal Vera, Italy, 1980s. Made of bent beechwood and finished in bright red colour. The seat in cane/rattan. In o...
Category

1980s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Cane, Hardwood, Bentwood

French Style Side Chairs by Chateau D'ax
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. 20th Century Amazing, Beautiful French style side chairs by Chateau D'ax Italian made beautiful chairs w/ carved walnut suede backs & ...
Category

20th Century Chairs

Materials

Suede, Wood

Joseph-Andre Motte Tongue Model 771 Chairs for Steiner
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of dining chairs by Joseph-Andre Motte the model 771 Tongue Chair reupholstered in tan suede. Black enameled steel base and legs. These chairs were designed in 1954 by Joseph-An...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Steel

Collector Contemporary Modern Moca Bar Chair in Bouclé Dark Brown by Studio Rig
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Contemporary Modern Moca bar chair in fabric by Studio Rig for Collector Studio A chair that mixes both modern and classical design approaches. Designed to hug the body, durable and ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Chairs

Materials

Metal

Isa Bergamo Set of Italian six chairs in yellow fabric
Located in Milano, IT
Allow me to take you on a journey to the enchanting world of Italian chairs from the 1950s, crafted by the esteemed ISA BERGAMO manufacture. These chairs exude a timeless charm that ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Sculpted Walnut Finish with Cane and Leather
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Category

2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut

Shop Antique and Vintage Chairs on 1stDibs: Lounge Chairs, Dining Chairs and Other Seating for Sale

Chairs are an indispensable component of your home and office. Can you imagine your life without the vintage, new or antique chairs you love?

With the exception of rocking chairs, the majority of the seating in our homes today — Windsor chairs, chaise longues, wingback chairs — originated in either England or France. Art Nouveau chairs, the style of which also originated in those regions, embraced the inherent magnificence of the natural world with decorative flourishes and refined designs that blended both curved and geometric contour lines. While craftsmanship and styles have evolved in the past century, chairs have had a singular significance in our lives, no matter what your favorite chair looks like.

“The chair is the piece of furniture that is closest to human beings,” said Hans Wegner. The revered Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer was prolific, having designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his lifetime. His beloved designs include the Wishbone chair, the wingback Papa Bear chair and many more.

Other designers of Scandinavian modernist chairs introduced new dynamics to this staple with sculptural flowing lines, curvaceous shapes and efficient functionality. The Paimio armchair, Swan chair and Panton chair are vintage works of Finnish and Danish seating that left an indelible mark on the history of good furniture design.

“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts,” said Ray Eames

Visionary polymaths Ray and Charles Eames experimented with bent plywood and fiberglass with the goal of producing affordable furniture for a mass market. Like other celebrated mid-century modern furniture designers of elegant low-profile furnishings — among them Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl — the Eameses considered ergonomic support, durability and cost, all of which should be top of mind when shopping for the perfect chair. The mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.

The Eameses introduced numerous icons for manufacturer Herman Miller, such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, molded plywood dining chairs the DCM and DCW (which can be artfully mismatched around your dining table) and a wealth of other treasured pieces for the home and office. 

A good chair anchors us to a place and can become an object of timeless appeal. Take a seat and browse the rich variety of vintage, new and antique chairs on 1stDibs today. 

Read More

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

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Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?

From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.

Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire

What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.

Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper

What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.

Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs

If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.

How to Reupholster a Chair

Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.

How to Spot Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI Chairs

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The Ball Chair, Eero Aarnio’s Space Age Masterpiece, Was Almost Never Made

Now considered emblematic of 1960s mod aesthetics, the Finnish designer's famous creation was far from an overnight success.

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